It’s easy to think that a Google Business Profile (GBP) is all Google needs to understand a business. For the agencies managing business listings, that’s only part of the story, as the same business details are also published across directories, mapping platforms, data aggregators and other local listings. Keeping those details consistent gives Google more information to compare when evaluating a GBP.
How to Build a Business Data Footprint With Citations
Listing distribution spreads the same business information across lots of places online. Instead of one platform holding all the information, it can be found everywhere from Yelp and Bing Places to Apple Maps, Foursquare and beyond. The challenge for agencies is to keep that information consistent as businesses update addresses, phone numbers and other details.
Every directory, map and local listing that carries the same business details adds to that public business data footprint. This means that Google has additional publicly available business information it can compare with the details listed in a Google Business Profile. Consistent citations can also contribute to stronger entity signals in local search.
New businesses, ones that have recently moved, and those with little online presence are most likely to be affected by a strong data footprint. For these businesses, creating an extensive and more consistent public record of business information can be particularly valuable.
Supporting the Google Business Profile Validation With the Data Footprint
When evaluating a Google Business Profile, Google compares publicly available information. Although businesses or their agency partners submit their own information when creating or updating a profile, Google may also look at the outside information alongside what is shown in the GBP itself.
In one example at Advice Local, we completed listing distribution for a business before its Google Business Profile was created. About two weeks later, the profile was created and received instant verification. While Google does not publicly explain every factor involved in its verification process, this observation suggests there may be value in establishing consistent public business information before creating a GBP.
Google Business Profile verification is not the only situation where consistent public business information may be relevant. Google may also compare that information when evaluating suggested edits.
How Citations Support Suggested Google Business Profile Edits
Did you know that the information a business submits to a GBP is not guaranteed to stay? One reason for potential unwanted changes is “suggested edits.” Google allows suggested edits, reviews them, then decides whether or not to apply them. For a business with a weak citation footprint, where there isn’t enough matching public business information available, such suggested edits could change key data unexpectedly.
One example we’ve seen involved a business that had recently changed their address. After listing distribution was completed, a public edit request was submitted from a high-level Local Guide account. We observed that the edit was accepted after the updated address matched business information already published across multiple platforms.
While Google makes its own decisions when evaluating a GBP, listing management helps distribute consistent business information across trusted platforms. That gives Google more matching data to compare when reviewing suggested edits.
How Agencies Can Build Consistent Business Information
For agencies, distributing business listings across a broad network of directories, search engines, mapping apps and data aggregators is important for discovery. However, as you can see, it also helps develop a public record for a business that could affect a GBP’s content and validation.
At Advice Local, we provide tools for agencies and local marketers to handle the complexity of creating, distributing and updating business listings. Data can be syndicated to our Data Amplifier Network from a single dashboard, removing the need to manually update every platform.
With directory submissions, GBP Sync and GBP Auto-Rejection tools, agencies can more easily manage consistent business information. The result is a more reliable public presence with fewer conflicting versions of the business online.
How #Citations Help Google Validate Business Information by @BernieColeman #SEO
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Smarter Citation Management for Agencies and Local Marketers
Advice Local develops listing management tools and SEO software that simplify citation management. Our platform distributes consistent business information across directories, mapping platforms, data aggregators and other local listings to create a more complete public business data footprint. Call (214) 310-1356 or request a demo.
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